Engage - Media Freedom

The media is in a constant fray to achieve better freedom. As it plays one of the most important roles in society, this topic is one of the most often discussed -- and yet we see no difference. Media Freedom continues to be a fleeting dream. True media freedom can only be achieved in the absence of interference from an overreaching state. It can only be preserved through constitutional or legal protections and ethical practice of the Fourth Estate.

However, an overreaching state never refrained from interfering in the past, and whether they will continue to do so now remains in question. We wait and watch from the sidelines, building our own opinions regarding the new regime. What the masses must remember is that, in order to get unbiased information, the media needs to be free. The right to information needs to be implemented and journalists should be allowed to observe up close, rather than from the sidelines. A journalist has to be objective, but more often than not, this particular concept is mere fiction and the soi disant media freedom that is fought for, is so far nonexistent.

Freedom of the press does not mean journalists have the right to break laws that apply to the public. It means they have the right to report the truth to the masses. The media used to be under a lot of pressure during the previous regime. They were torn between wanting to report the truth, and wanting to live in peace, or even to live at all. However, it is undeniably an inequity when that journalist is slain in cold blood on a deserted street. When none are held accountable for such atrocities, wherein lies the justice?

In the case of the killing of Lasantha on the busy Attidiya Road, in broad daylight, a few hundred metres from a security check point, witnesses said that the assailants were dressed in military or para military uniforms and carrying automatic weapons. Statements recorded by eye witnesses will give police the exact descriptions. The identity of the establishment of persons wearing this kind of clothing and carrying weapons on motorcycles can be broadly identified even by ordinary laypersons.

Those who killed Lasantha by guns or other means on the road are not those who wanted to kill him. They were merely lackeys.

The death of a journalist is a cruel pain, like a piece of our very own society’s flesh being ripped off. The death of a talented journalist is an injustice; what law deprives the society of their lives, their words and their intelligence? Their very right to improve themselves?

Lasantha and other journalists who were killed such as Sivaram, Prageeth Ekneligoda (who disappeared) and the many journalists of the Uthayan who met with the same fate were political journalists. That makes it abundantly clear that the motive behind the killings were political even as the ‘crack sleuths’ stumbled on flat-footed for years without producing results.

Usually a candle-light vigil, moving speeches and various articles mark their deaths every year, which remember them for what they were and what they stood for. But in death the society makes them heroes whereas the society forgets the human aspect of the lives they led. They were beloved parents, admired siblings and close friends and in some cases, respected mentors and colleagues.

Dr. Rajitha Senaratne made an announcement that immediate investigations will commence on the murders of journalist Lasantha Wickremetunge and legislatures Joseph Pararajasingham, Navarajah Raviraj and former minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. This would no doubt be a challenging feat to the Police, the CID, government prosecutors as well as the judiciary due to the fact that after so many years, they have the power to ensure that speedy justice will be delivered.

For the past decade, and even before the Rajapaksa regime, the term “speedy justice” was almost unheard of in Sri Lanka. The term “justice” itself was practically a myth. The civilians of this country were used to keeping quiet lest they disappear or be murdered. Justice was carrying out an investigation until the fire

dies down and then announcing that the trail went cold. It was piles upon piles of files gathering dust in a corner because the required authorities did not have enough power in their hands to follow through with an investigation.

However, times have changed now. The entire scenario of politics in Sri Lanka has completely shifted course and we’re looking at a different government under the presidency of Maithripala Sirisena. Media Freedom is a concept that might be within reach, and the voices that have been yelling themselves hoarse for the past decade can finally be heard.

It has been too long since Sri Lanka actually brought some semblance of justice to the murdered and the disappeared. With the change in government, everyone is looking forward to see something positive actually taking place. We are calling for speedy justice. Asking for speedy justice does not mean we’re advocating third degree methods where extreme torture of suspects or any other such Hollywood tactics are used. Nor are we asking for the sort of speedy justice where, in a hurry to catch the perpetrators, you corner the innocent. That would do no good to anyone and it certainly would not bring justice to any of these honourable men. Sri Lankans are tired of all the unnecessary drama. What we need is a fair trial that will prove the worth of our police and courts.

We, as journalists are used to being fended off by officials when we inquire into the conduct of vital information. The phrase “investigations are being carried out” is now wearing thin, and while the present government has made headway in the case of many murders, justice has yet to be served and the right to information should be implemented.

The atrocities committed during the previous regime were completely ignored by the leaders and officials. The guns that turned on journalists enjoyed immunity to such an extent that it is preposterous in a so called democratic society. So far, the present government under the “Maithri rule” made a lot of promises regarding various situations. Yet, the media cannot be blamed for showing skepticism, because we are so used to every successive new government promising speedy ends to investigations, providing justice which has eluded us for long and allowing unhindered access to information and freedoms that our rightfully ours.

As practicing journalists, we are weary. Weary of promises that continue to fail us, weary of empty words and the freedoms that have been denied to us for so long. The question is not whether the culprits will be caught under the new regime. It is whether the main culprit will be caught. Producing a mere lackey before courts is not going to bring any justice whatsoever to those men and women who were silenced by force. Justice is where the main instigator is made accountable.

High hopes are riding on the new government that justice will be served and the new government will not fail the journalists or the society as their predecessors did, time and time again. In order for true media freedom and democracy to be achieved, the government must make headway in serving justice and it must include the society they govern in on the details.

by Cassendra Doole

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